Sighting-device.



R. SOHfiRMANN.

SIGHTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 0OT.26, 1912.

Patented Mar. 10, 1914,

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R. soHfiRMANN.

SIGHTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION IILBD 0GT. 26, 1912.

1,089,973. Patented Mar. 10, 19m

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RICHARD SCI-IU'RMANN, OF ESSEN-ON-THE-RUHR, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO FRIED. KRUPP AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, OF ESSEN-ON-THE-RUHR, GERMANY.

SIGI-ITING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RIoI-IARD SoHiiRMANN, residing at Essen on the Ruhr, Germany, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Sighting Devices, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a sighting device for guns used in defense against air ships, said device being of as simple and strong a construction as those sighting devices which are only intended for field targets; said sighting device furthermore permitting of the same accuracy when directed against high situated targets, as do the sighting devices for field targets, when directed at low situated targets.

One embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and Figure 1 shows a side view of the sighting device in conjunction with the associated parts of the gun; Fig. 2,

a section along line 22 of Fig. 1, seen from,

the left; Fig. 8, a section along line 3-3 of Fig. 1, seen from above and Fig. 4, a section along line 41 of Fig. 1, seen from the right.

The sighting device is carried on a side bracket A of the cradle A which guides the gun B. On the free end of the side bracket A is fixedly mounted a cylindrical box a which acts as pinion for the housing 0 carrying the sight C The sight G which is built as a double telescope in the usual way, has an observers eye-piece 0 placed in an upwardly inclined direction; and also a sighting gunners eye-piece c directed to one side. A worm D with a small hand wheel d is mount-ed in the housing 0 and provided for the purpose of setting the firing angle, and meshes with the gear teeth a of the box a A drum E is moreovei revolubly mounted on the housing C by means of a spindle 0 the axis of which is parallel to the axis of revolution of the housing. This drum has driving connection with the housing C, so that it turns an angle relative to the housing, which is several times greater than the angle which the housing is turned relative to the box a by the worm gearing D a For this purpose, two rigidly connected spur wheels F and F are revolubly mounted on a common shaft in the housing C, the one F being in mesh with a tooth gear a of the box (0 and the other spur wheel F being in mesh with a pinion e on Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 26, 1912.

Patented Mar. 10, 1914.

Serial No. 727,976.

the nave of the drum E. A cylindrical level G is furthermore provided on the housing C for deciding the angle of elevation, securely fixed on a small box G which is mounted to revolve in the housing. The axis of revolution of the box G is parallel with those of the housing C and the drum E, and the box has worm teeth in mesh with a worm h on a shaft H, which is mounted in the housing C. The shaft H, whlch is provided with a small hand wheel if, has also a second worm 7L3, which is in mesh with a pinion 71 of a sleeve J mounted revolubly but not slidably in the housing C. The sleeve J, whose axis of revolution is parallel with that of the drum E, incloses a rod K, see Fig. 3, slidably but non-revolubly mounted in the housing C. The end of this rod that is always situated within the sleeve J, is provided with a screw thread 7& which engages with a suitable female thread in the sleeve J. At its other end, the rod K carries an index 70 which is always outside the housing C and the point of which is in contact with the cylindrical surface of the drum E.

From the foregoing description it will be evident, that a turning of the box G carrying the level G, accomplished by turning the shaft H, will cause a corresponding displacement of the index 70 along a line on the cylindrical surface of the drum E. A certain position of the index k will therefore express a certain angular position of the box G Similarly does every setting of the housing C by means of the turning of the worm D and relative to the box a express a certain angular position of the drum E as regards the housing C. Assuming therefore, on the one hand, the box G to be so adjusted by turning the shaft H, that the longitudinal axis of the level G is parallel to the main direction of the two sight lines (which are parallel) of the double telescope c 0 and on the other hand, by turning the worm D, the housing C will be brought into such an angular position, that the main direction of the sight line is parallel with the axis of the bore; the point of the index will then determine a point on the cylindrical surface of the drum, the position of which is unchangeable. The straight line, denoted by 6 which is drawn through this point on the cylinder surface will now be called the zero-line; and the circle line, denoted by 6 in which the cylindrical surface is intersected by the cross section plane through said point, will be called the foundation circle. If now the sighting device is set by turning the worm D, for a certain firing angle corresponding to the range and the angle of site of a certain target, the drum E will then be revolved an amount that is proportionate to the firing angle. If thereupon, after directing the sighting device on the target, the air bubble of the level G has been centered by turning the shaft H, the index will be displaced an amount which is proportionate with the angle of site. The distance, measured in the direction of a surface line, between the index and the foundation circle 0 represents then the angle of site in a certain measurement, which will be called axial measurement. Similarly the distance, measured circumferentially in a certain measurement, between the index point and the zeroline 6 represents the firing angle, which measurement will be called circumferential measurement. If new the distance, measured in the direction of a surface line, from the foundation circle a to the point on the cylindrical surface that coincides with the point of the index, on the one hand; and the distance, measured circumferentially, from said point to the zero-line, on the other hand, are considered as the coordinates of said point, it could then be said that the first-named coordinate of this point represents the angle of site with the axial measurements as foundation; and that the last named coordinate represents the firing angle with the circumferential measurement as foundation. Marking now, in the indicated manner, for the same range a great number of related values of firing angles and angles of site as coordinates on the cylindrical surface of the drum E, a curve 6 will be obtained. The character of the said curve will be such, that the sighting device will be set accurately in that firing angle, which belongs to the angle of site in question of the range corresponding to this curve, when the drum E, by turning the worm D, is so adjusted, that the point of the index 70 already adjusted to the angle of site falls in the curve. If new the curves a are in a similar manner drawn for a great number of different ranges at uniform distances in sequence, of for instance one hundred meters, a number of curves will be obtained, which in a manner form a range scale. And this range scale would only differ from those now generally used for field targets therein, that the division lines in the former are curves.

In using the described sighting device, the sighting gunner has only to take care, that the sighting lines are kept on the target, by suitable manipulation of the gun elevating gear. While the sighting gunner keeps the sight lines on the target, the duty of the observer is to center the air bubble of the level G, by turning the small hand wheel 71/2, and thereupon to adjust the sighting device, by turning the worm D, so that the point of the index k falls in that particular curve 6 which corresponds to the target range, which has for instance been found by means of a range finder. Then the sighting gunner thereupon has again given the sighting lines their direction on the target, which was lost by the turning of the worm D, the gun will have obtained its correct firing angle.

I claim:

1. The combination with a gun of a sighting apparatus therefor used against targets of high elevation, having a reading device comprising two relatively adjustable members, one being a curve chart movable in one direction and the other an index for the chart slidable in a direction at right angles thereto and gearing for said curve chart; the curves on said chart each representing a different range, the coordinates for said curves in one direction representing the firing angle, and the coordinates in the other direction representing the angle of site; said gearing in adjusting said curve chart to the firing angle constructed simultaneously to adjust the sight to that angle.

2. A sighting apparatus used against targets of high elevation having a reading device comprising two relatively adjustable members, one being a curve chart movable in one direction, and the other an index for the chart slidable in a direction at right angles thereto, a cylindrical level adjustable to the elevation of the target and a gearing constructed to simultaneously adjust said level and said index.

3. A sighting apparatus used against targets of high elevation, having a reading device comprising two relatively adjustable members, one being a curve chart movable in one direction and the other an index for the chart slidable in a direction at right angles thereto, and a gearing for said curve chart; the curves on said chart each representing a different range, the coordinates for said curves in one direction representing the firing angle, and the coordinates in the other direction representing the angle of site; said gearing in adjusting said curve chart to the firing angle constructed simultaneously to adjust the sight to that angle; a cylindrical level adjustable to the elevation of the target, and a gearing constructed to simultaneously adjust said level and said index.

4r. A sighting apparatus used against targets of high elevation having a housing supporting the sight proper, a pivot for said housing and gearing between the pivot and the housing, for turning the latter in a Vertical plane, a level in the housing mounted, to revolve in the same plane as said housing, and a driving element for said level.

5. A sighting apparatus used against targets of high elevation having a housing supporting the sight proper, a pivot for said housing and gearing between the pivot and the housing, for turning the latter in a vertical plane, a level in the housing mounted to revolve in the same plane as said housing, and a driving element for said level; a graduation drum pivoted to revolve in conjunction with and in the same plane as said housing, and an index seated in said housing adjustable relative to said drum and said level,

6. A sighting apparatus used against targets of high elevation having a housing supporting the sight proper, a pivot for said housing and gearing between the pivot and the housing, for turning the latter in a vertical plane, a level in the housing mounted, to revolve in the same plane as said housing, and a driving element for said level; a graduation drum pivoted to revolve in conjunction with and in the same plane as said housing, and an index seated in said housing adjustable relative to said drum and said level; said driving element simultaneously operating said index.

7. A sighting apparatus used against targets of high elevation having a housing supporting the sight proper, a pivot for said housing and gearing between the pivot and the housing, for turning the latter in a vertical plane, a level in the housing mounted, to revolve in the same plane as said housing, and a driving element for said level; a graduation drum pivoted to revolve in conjunction with and in the same plane as said housing, and an index seated in said housing adjustable relative to said drum and said level; said graduation comprising a plurality of curves each representing one distinct range, the coordinates for said curves in one direction representing the firing angle and the coordinates in the other direction representing the angle of site. 8. A sighting apparatus used against targets of high elevation having a housing supporting thesight proper, a pivot for said housing and gearing between the pivot and the housing, for turning the latter in a vertical plane, a level in the housing mounted, to revolve in the same plane as [said housing, and a driving element for said level; a graduation drum pivoted to revolve in conjunction with and in the same plane as said housing, and an index seated in said housing adjustable relative to said drum and said level; said graduation comprising a plurality of curves each representing one distinct range, the coordinates for said curves in one direction representing the firing angle and the coordinates in the other 5,33. sac-mew w direction representing the angle of site, said driving element also operating said index; said driving element comprising a driving shaft, a worm on the shaft and in mesh therewith worm teeth on said level; a second worm on said driving shaft, a worm wheel in mesh with said second worm mounted coaxially with said index, a female thread in said worm and a male thread on said index in cooperation therewith whereby said index will be moved across said drum simultaneously with the adjustment of said level.

9. A sighting apparatus used against targets of high elevation having a housing supporting the sight proper, a pivot for said housing and gearing between the pivot and the housing, for turning the latter in a vertical plane, a level in the housing mounted to revolve in the same plane as said housing, and a driving element for said level; a graduation drum journaled on said housing to revolve in the same plane therewith, a train of gears for revolving said drum at an increased rate of speed relative to said housing.

10. A sighting apparatus used against targets of high elevation having a housing supporting the sight proper, a pivot for said housing and gearing between the pivot and the housing, for turning the latter in a Vertical plane, a level in the housing mounted to revolve in the same plane as said housing, and a driving element for said level, a graduation drum journaled on said housing to revolve in the same plane therewith, a train of gears for revolving said drum at an increased rate of speed relative to said housing; said train of gears comprising gear teeth on said housing pivot, a spur wheel in mesh therewith and journaled in said housing, a second spur wheel coaxial with and positively connected with said first named spur wheel and gear teeth on said drum in mesh with the second spur wheel.

11. A sighting apparatus used against targets of high elevation having a housing supporting the sight proper, a pivot for said housing and gearing between the pivot and the housing, for turning the latter in a vertical plane, a level in the housing mounted to revolve in the same plane as said housing, and a driving element for said level; a graduation drum journaled on said housing to revolve in the same plane therewith, an index seated in said housing adjustable relative to said drum and said level a train of gears for revolving said drum at an increased rate of speed relative to said housing; said train of gears comprising gear teeth on said housing pivot, a spur wheel in mesh therewith and journaled in said housing, a second spur wheel coaxial with and positively connected with said first named spur wheel and gear teeth on said drum in mesh with the second spur wheel; said driving element comprising a driving shaft, a Worm on the shaft and in mesh therewith, worm teeth on said level; a second worm on said driving shaft, a worm wheel in mesh with said second worm mounted coaxially with said index, a female thread in said Worm and a male thread on said index in cooperation therewith whereby said index will be moved across said drum simultaneously with the adjustment of said level.

12. The combination with a gun of a sighting apparatus therefor used against high situated targets, having two readin members, one being a curve-chart and the m index for the chart, the curves on said chart each representing a different range and the coordinates for said curves in one direction representing the firing angle and in the other direction the angle of site; means for adjusting said reading members relatively to each other in the direction of the coordinate representing the angle of site and a gearing for adjusting said reading members relatively to each other in the direction of the coordinate representing the firing angle, said gearing in adjusting said reading members according to the firing angle constructed simultaneously to adjust the sight to that angle.

13. The combination with a gun of a sighting apparatus therefor used against high situated targets, having a housing carrying the sight proper, a level mounted on said housing and adjustable for the angle of site, a driving element for said level, two reading members, one being a curve chart and the other an index for the chart; the curves on said chart each representing a difi-erent range and the coordinates for said curves in one direction representing the firing angle and in the other direction the angle of site; means actuated by said driving element for adjusting said reading members relatively to each other in the direction of the coordinate representing the angle of site, and a gearing for adjusting said reading members relatively to each other in the direction of the coordinate representing the firing angle, said gearing in adjusting said reading members according to the firing angle constructed simultaneously to adjust the sight to that angle.

The foregoing specification signed at Barmen, Germany, this 5th day of October, 1912.

RICHARD SCHURMANN. [1,. s.]

In presence of CHAS. J. lVnIoHT, ALBERT Norm.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patentl. Washington, D. G. 

